First day of hunting excitement and questions.

[NEKVT]

So Today was the first day I have ever turkey hunted, Got out before sun up , but it was raining. I decided I would try it anyway. I went out and sat untill the sun started to rise, and heard no gobbles. Then instantly once the first crow sounded I got a gobble.

1. Why do they gobble at crows?

I then did a few clucks and attempts at purrs and eventually called a gobbler over 200 yards towards me. He was out in the corn field about 60 yards off, at first i didnt see him coming over the rose. I moved the very slightest to better position my hand on my gun for if / when he did come in. He did not seem to bee to alarmed and sort of stayed at 60 yards out as he went around me. It then started raining harder and I got a gobble or two and did a few clucks and purrs. but that was it, he went into the woods.

2. Do you think he saw me in the tree line move slightly, or was it the rain that made him leave?

3. If he saw me how busted am i? Will he be back tomorrow? What if i move closer to where he entered the woods and do all of the same things I did today?
Note: These birds are not heavily hunted in our area.

Thanks

[Spring_Woods]

Did he alarm putt? How quickly did he move off? Did he fly?

Toms 'shock gobble' to crows. Its sort of like them saying Im a bigger, better bird!! Any loud sudden noise will make them do it, sometimes. Car doors slamming, geese, peacocks etc also have the same effect. If a bird is real fired up he'll gobble to everything and anything.

I'd tell ya better on how to hunt him if I saw how he spooked. I wasn't there so the best thing I can say if it was me is to not give up. If it was your first time out it sounds like you did mostly everything right. In rain, and windy conditions I like to be ready for anything. I think a little bit of wind is perfect. 1) you can get away with more movement. 2) I think the birds are more likely to come looking for you than on dead still mornings.

[NEKVT]

Yeah i think the wind was in my favor....i couldent hear any Putt, (i did listen for it) but it was also raining and a bit windy

He dident fly or run off....just walked.. thats why i am not sure if it was me or the weather that made him retreat.

I am thinking of trying in the same manner tomorrow except closer to where he came from....For my first time hunting turkeys it was exciting to have any action at all.

[dirt road ninja]

Your first trip went better than I remember mine going. I don't think you spooked the bird, he was just being a turkey. Tomorrow he might run to you just as walked away today.
I don't know why they gobble at crows so much, but I never leave the truck without a crow call. I suspect that it's because crows make a sudden loud call, my birds gobble at cars racing, airplanes, and jake brakes.

[NEKVT]

Yeah, it was like clock work, totle silence untill that one crow Kawed.... then Gobble Gobble Gobble..... I was pretty impressed since I know a lot of people have crow calls. I just have a cheap pushbutton call.
I can here them most morning right outside the house. They are pretty vocal around here.

[jakebird]

Congrats on an exciting first hunt! I have a feeling the gobbler was looking for the hen, shoulda been able to see her, couldn't, and got suspicious. Sixty yds was close enough he should have seen the hen in the field. Thats why i always use a deke in fields or very open woods when they can see from a distance. If he was very spooked at all, he'd have got the hay out of there. Go back and kill that bird tomorrow. You are/were very close to killing one. Best of luck!

[NEKVT]

Yeah it was pretty awsome.... similar to how much i like bow hunting. Also had a damn rabbit just about jump in my lap tha AM lol...
Atleast tomorrow we hopefully will have a bit warmer temps and no rain....

[Tail Feathers]

Keep after him.  Keep the calling soft and light.  If he gobbles at you, it's loud enough.
Use your intuition to determine if he's hot or cold.  If he's hot, you'll know.  When he cuts you off gobbling, you may be getting him to the right temperature
Good luck!

[davisd9]

Be careful not to call just to hear him gobble.  Remember you are working a bird and are making him do something he normally does not do, come to the hen.  Also, making him gobble his head off could casue real hens to come to him.  It is fun to have one fired up and gobbling but it can hurt you at times.